Who rides in the rain? If so how does the spyder handle?

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

RAIN TIPS

Just a couple of things I learned in accident investigation school....The first 15 minutes or so after it starts to rain is usually the most dangerous because that's when all the oily crap on the road surface comes to the top and floats before it's washed to the side....and be especially careful at toll booths ( for mtc's it's much worse) cars, trucks, etc. leak lots of oily greasy fluids right there in the middle while waiting to pay the toll ....it can be like sliding on ball bearings.......and contrary to popular belief it's not necessarily the water that causes the hydroplaning ....a lot of the time it's the surface contaminants that are floating that are the main culprit.....do all you're surfing in the ocean......Mike.....:thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

Just a couple of things I learned in accident investigation school....The first 15 minutes or so after it starts to rain is usually the most dangerous because that's when all the oily crap on the road surface comes to the top and floats before it's washed to the side....

:agree: Spyders really aren't a whole lot different than any other motorcycle on good tires... wet conditions are no excuse to stop riding! :thumbup:

Just use a little bit of the common sense that your Momma had to beat into you as a kid and you'll be fine. :roflblack:

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I just put on a new rear tire so I'm ready for the rain that I'm sure I will be riding in to and/or from Spyderfest. Bring it on!

 

[WaltH]

:agree: I have ridden my bike many times in the rain, and like how the spyder handles. My suggestions are not to ride too close to the side of the rear wheel of cars, or especially semi trucks. The rooster tails are a real pain when the water hits you. It is important to have good rain gear, a full face helmet, and most important rain-proof gloves. Regular leather gloves will stain your hands black from the dye they use the first time they get wet, and your hands get cold too.

I have been at this for a very long time and I have never found rain-proof gloves that I was happy about. I am still looking.

 

[MikeinGA]

Be aware that Rain-X will eventually craze plastic windshields and visors. If you use it, they will have to be replaced from time to time.

I use Rain-X on my visors for over 30 years. What I do is I use plastic polish first, let it sit fore a few hours (3 to 5), then use a small rage and put a few drops of Rain-X, wipe it on the visor.

Mike

 

[SporterSpider]

Rode from Moonshine Illinois to home Erlanger, Ky. today, it rained all the way. The Spyder handled great in the rain.

 

[bikeguy]

We rode in a light rain yesterday and today but have ridden in heavier rains on a number of occasions. The RT handles very well in the rain. I'd much rather be on the Spyder in the rain than any 2 wheeler I've ever ridden. The RT fairing keeps us drier than any fairing I've ever ridden behind. When our small group stopped to put on rain gear yesterday, only my wife and I and our son and his girlfriend on his BMW R1150RT had dry legs. Everyone else was wet from mid calf down. The Spyder RT kinda spoils you in many ways.

I agree with others about the wide rear tire hydroplaning. I had mine less than a week when I first experienced it hydroplaning and the traction control stopping it from spinning. Before I realized what was happening I thought the engine was trying to quit and was pretty mad because I had a brand new bike and it looked like I was gonna have to walk home in the rain. Spyders are really nice in the rain.

Cotton

 

[KipDM]

i just go slower.
i have been caught without rain gear and just kept ryding.
sometimes i get home from work and intentionally ryde BECAUSE it is raining (slower pace, more solitary).

once i even told someone how much i loved how it handled in the rain (because i would probably not ride a 2wheeler in the rain).

 

[NancysToy]

I use Rain-X on my visors for over 30 years. What I do is I use plastic polish first, let it sit fore a few hours (3 to 5), then use a small rage and put a few drops of Rain-X, wipe it on the visor.

Mike

I'll try that and see if it gives me some longevity. I usually get about 1-2 years out of a visor before it clouds badly enough to be replaced, and a couple of years or more out of a windshield before it needs to be removed and machine polished. I don't use the Rain-X much anymore. When I used it frequently I got a shorter period than that above. Like Loctite, the Rain-X crazes the plastic surface, causing tiny (microscopic) cracks to develop, which eventually merge to become a cloud.

 

[effgjamis]

RAIN ??? :yikes: Is that akin to Liquid sunshine? :roflblack::roflblack:

 

[rock]

rain riders

our 2010 rts se5 rides and handles like a sports car in the rain....common cense goes a long way so ride happy and ride safe and dont be afraid of the rain!!!

 

[Pandy]

We just slow down a bit and keep right on. Spyder has never even offered to hydroplane and that's in conditions where all I could go by was the fog lines.
Common sense should see you through.

Patrick